The Best of Facial Mists

With the weather hotting up in England, I'm giving you the lowdown on my favourite facial mists today, to help you guys keep your cool!

The Best for On The Go: This has to go to the Avene Eau Thermale Spring Water. Basically just water in a can, but this is such a lovely product to have in your handbag for on the go. It won't disrupt your makeup, it'll keep you cool, and it's even good if you've got a headache.

The Spot Fighter: I use the Lush Tea Tree Water on a nightly basis to combat any skin nasties and it does an amazing job.

The Face Hairspray: Nothing adheres makeup to your face quite like the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray. A few spritzes of this apres-makeup application will ensure your makeup stays put all day, no matter what the humidity, or how long you're gonna be out of the house.

The Handy to Have: There are so many uses for the MAC Fix+ Spray that if I listed them all we'd be here til September. My favourite ways to use this though? To intensify shadow pigments, and to get rid of any cakiness on the skin. It's a good'un.

The Glow Giver: Nothing brightens my skin up quite like the Caudalie Eau De Beaute spray, it's packed with refreshing essential oils that really get my skin looking brighter and healthier.

What are your favourite Facial Sprays?

Disappointing Packaging

So a week or so ago, I had a post titled Pretty Packaging, and I thought it only fair to chase it up with a round up of disappointing packaging. This post was actually inspired by my awesome friend Daphne, so you should go check her out! 

Let's start with the Max Factor Face Finity Foundation and Primer. I love the products inside, but the packaging leaves a little to be desired. The glass is really thick and heavy, the pump is unnecessarily large meaning the lid is also big. The whole thing is pretty clunky and heavy, it makes it hard to travel with and they take up a lot of room in the stash. Something sleeker would have been nice.

I'm a big fan of the boxed blushes from Benefit, but let's be honest, the Benefit Rockateur Boxed Blush packaging is just tacky. Gold snakeskin and lace? Really? No thank you. And as much as I love the boxes, they aren't good for travel either.

The L'Oreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick in Dating Coral is a gorgeous Summer pick, but the weird gold and clear plastic packaging is chunky and quite weird looking. The clear plastic makes it look quite cheap, a shame since it's got an awesome formula.

You guys know I'm a big fan of the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer, and whilst the packaging is nice and small and compact, the writing on the tube has worn off nearly completely. 

The Body Shop Almond Nail and Hand Cream is one of my favourites, but the metal packaging is really handbag-unfriendly. Four days in the handbag and every time you open the tube product oozes out, and there were two little holes in the packaging. Desk only this one. 

  

I've mentioned before that I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the Tanya Burr Lipglosses, but the packaging to me seems pretty cheap, it almost looks like a magazine freebie. Such a shame since there are some seriously pretty packaged lipglosses out there that aren't half as good.

I really love the formula of the Benefit Hydra Smooth Lip Colours, they're buttery smooth and hydrating, but they aren't overly creamy or slippy if that makes sense. However, they get barely any use, and it's all down to the packaging. They kinda look like bizarre greek pillars, which is kind of cute but not very practical, chuck this in your handbag and a) it will take up much more space than any other lip product would, and b) the lid is guaranteed to come off. Also, 9/10 times, I smush the lipstick all over the lid just shutting it. It's quite cheap looking, definitely not a reflection of the £15 price tag.

The Max Factor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush is one of the only drugstore cream blushes I like, but I can't really see where Max Factor were going with this packaging. Mine broke on the first day I had it, tiny flimsy packaging, and let's face it, it's not pretty is it? 

I don't really mind MAC packaging for the most part, it's simple and it get's the job done. That being said, the clear plastic window in the MSF's and blushes always pops out, which is really frustrating.

And lastly, TheBalm Mary Lou Manizer. I know a lot of people love the packaging of this, but it's really not for me, I'm just not a cartoon people sort of person. Also, such a finely milled powder could do with a little extra bump-proofing! 

What packaging are you not a fan of?

What's in my Travel Makeup Bag?

I'm on my travels this week in the States, so I thought I'd better let you lovely lot have a rummage through my makeup bag! I'm sort of packing for a lot of different eventualities, meetings, pool time, hot humid city days, and evenings too, so I've got a fair few options! 

I'm back tomorrow (sad face) but I'm sure I'll have a cheeky purchase or two to share with you soon!

Have an awesome Sunday guys! 

Watch the video here!

5 Things to Buy in July

It's finally July, and it's freaking hot. When I head out in Central London I can basically feel my face melting off. This months picks are all based around that summery theme, so without further ado, here are five awesome products that are definitely worth the splurge this month.

First up, something every girl needs in their makeup arsenal, the Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray, which is, in essence, hairspray for your face. A few spritzes of this post makeup application will ensure that your makeup stays put no matter how hot and sweaty you're getting. 

Another product to aid makeup lasting power, the Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot setting powder is top notch. Super lightweight and not cakey, but it does really help set foundation.

I have fallen back in love with eyelash curlers recently, and as far as I'm concerned there aren't a better pair than the Shu Umera Lash Curlers. The lift they give to the lashes really opens up the eyes and it lasts such a long time too, even when you don't apply a waterproof mascara.

I love whacking out the highlighters in the summer, and one of my favourites is Benefit Watts Up!, a gorgeous golden champagne creamy highlighter. I like to take a little of this on my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and blend it into the tops of my cheekbones, and it just looks so lovely, no chunky glitter just a nice golden sheen. 

And lastly, my favourite lip product for the Summer months, the Estee Lauder Pure Lip Shine in Plexi Pink, one I've spoken about a lot but it's just that good. A gorgeous sheer bright pink, it's just made for summer.

What will you be splurging on this month?

Sunset in New York City

 We arrived in New York City first thing yesterday morning, and man was I tired. Red Eye flights are not my friend, especially when you're flying into the path of a hurricane. After a few hotel-hiccups (top tip, always double check you've booked the right hotel), we chugged two coffees and headed for a wander.

We are staying at the Grand Hyatt on East 42nd and Lexington, it's a gorgeous hotel, right next to Grand Central Terminal. We managed a bit of a stroll round Times Square before we had to go back for a nap, we were just totally wiped out. The good thing was that being the fourth, it was pretty quiet since a lot of people were assumably celebrating with family.

I've taken a ton of photos today, but I just couldn't wait to share these snaps I took whilst walking down Fifth Avenue after dinner this evening. We ate at Carmines in Times Square, and then walked up to Central Park and back down Fifth. As we did the sun was setting and the glow through the buildings was just beautiful. It's an incredibly beautiful city, and I can't wait to share more with you guys.